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1 Sel
| Issuer | Princely State of Manipur |
|---|---|
| Year | |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | C#1 |
| Obverse description | Central field dominated by a single boldly rendered Nagari character 'श्री' (Shri), an auspicious honorific of sacred significance in Hindu tradition, cast in relatively high relief against a plain field. The legend is rendered in a somewhat archaic, stylised script exhibiting the characteristic variations in execution typical of hand-cast Manipuri coinage. The flan is small and thick, with an irregular raised rim, and the surface displays a dark olive-green patina consistent with bell-metal alloy. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Nagari/Bengali |
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| Additional information |
Manipur's coinage tradition predates British annexation in 1891 by centuries, with the sel serving as the smallest unit in a local system largely insulated from Mughal and later colonial monetary influence. Bell metal — a high-tin bronze alloy more commonly cast into temple bells and ceremonial vessels — was the material of choice for these diminutive pieces, a reflection of the metallurgical traditions of the Meitei craftsmen rather than any minting convention imported from outside the valley.